Once upon a time,
in a vast kingdom, there was a powerful king named Shahryar. He ruled wisely and was loved by his people.
But one day, he discovered a terrible truth—his wife had betrayed him. Heartbroken and furious, he lost all trust in women.
In his anger, he made a cruel decision. He would marry a new woman every night and have her executed the next morning, ensuring no one could ever betray him again.
For years, this continued, and fear spread through the kingdom.
But then came Scheherazade, the daughter of the king’s vizier (advisor). She was not only beautiful but also intelligent and wise.
But then came Scheherazade, the daughter of the king’s vizier (advisor). She was not only beautiful but also intelligent and wise.
She had read many books and knew countless stories. Seeing her people suffer, she came up with a bold plan.
She told her father,
She told her father,
“I will marry the king.”
Her father was horrified.
Her father was horrified.
“No, my child! You will die like the others!”
But Scheherazade was determined.
But Scheherazade was determined.
“Trust me, Father. I have a way to stop this.”
That night, she married King Shahryar. But before he could carry out his usual plan, she asked for one last wish.
That night, she married King Shahryar. But before he could carry out his usual plan, she asked for one last wish.
“Let me say goodbye to my sister and tell her a story.”
The king, curious, agreed.
Scheherazade began telling a fascinating tale. She spun a story so thrilling that, just as dawn was about to break, she stopped at a cliffhanger.
The king, curious, agreed.
Scheherazade began telling a fascinating tale. She spun a story so thrilling that, just as dawn was about to break, she stopped at a cliffhanger.
The king, eager to hear what happened next, decided to let her live for one more day—so she could finish the story.
But the next night, when she finished that tale, she immediately started another—just as exciting. Again, she left it unfinished at dawn.
But the next night, when she finished that tale, she immediately started another—just as exciting. Again, she left it unfinished at dawn.
And so, night after night, Scheherazade continued telling stories, always stopping at the most exciting moment.
Days turned into months, and the king, captivated by her tales, kept postponing her execution.
But would he ever truly change? Would Scheherazade’s stories save her life—and the lives of the kingdom’s women?
This is how A Thousand and One Nights begins!
But would he ever truly change? Would Scheherazade’s stories save her life—and the lives of the kingdom’s women?
This is how A Thousand and One Nights begins!
Next, I’ll start with the first story Scheherazade tells, The Merchant and the Genie.